6 rings: 3 matchups to watch in patriots vs. dolphins
The Patriots are on the road this weekend to take on the AFC East-leading Dolphins and, after an upset win over the division rival Bills that have them at 2-5, there’s no time like the present for this team to turn it on.
Bill Belichick says it all the time: “Players win games.” So here are 10 to watch this weekend in Miami:
10 - WR Jalen Reagor, Patriots
After burning his three game-day elevations from the practice squad, the Patriots signed wide receiver Jalen Reagor to their active roster on Thursday.
Reagor, drafted by the Eagles in the first-round of the 2020 draft, quickly fizzled out in Philadelphia after a 2021 campaign where he started 13 games but caught just 33 catches for 299 yards. The speedy wide receiver was then traded to the Minnesota Vikings for a seventh round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick. Reagor was released by Minnesota this past August and signed to the Patriots’ practice squad the next day.
“I used to pay attention to social media,” Reagor told MassLive’s Mark Daniels on Wednesday. Now, I don’t. If somebody says I’m good, bad, or indifferent, it really doesn’t change how I feel about myself. It used to because coming in, as a first-round (pick), there’s pressure. Now, it’s so easy for me to play because I don’t have pressure. Everyone thinks that I’m a bust. So, it’s cool. Now, I can go play.”
After catching his first pass as a Patriot last Sunday in their win vs. the Bills, Reagor has a spot this week and given their inconsistencies at the wide receiver position, has a chance to carve out a real role for himself in the offense.
9 - LB Andrew Van Ginkel, Dolphins, 8 - LB Bradley Chubb, Dolphins, and 7 DT Christian Wilkins - Dolphins
I’m looping three players into this one because, much like the Patriots’ opponent in the Bills last week, the Dolphins’ defensive front is dominant. Miami’s defense has 24 sacks this season, good for third in the NFL.
This is in large part due to the play of LB Andrew Van Ginkel, LB Bradley Chubb, and DT Christian Wilkins who have four, four, and two and a half sacks on the season respectively.
The Patriots worked with a new offensive line last week and it boded well for them. We’ll see if the same is true this Sunday with another test in front of them.
6 - OL Mike Onwenu, Patriots
Speaking of the Patriots’ offensive line adjustment, they made arguably their best personnel move of the season on Sunday when they started Mike Onwenu at tackle.
“I don’t think in his four years here he’s played one position,” center David Andrews said of Onwenu’s position change after the win. “His rookie year he’s playing jumbo tight end, then he’s playing right tackle. Then second year he’s playing left guard, then back out to right tackle. This year right guard, right tackle. He has a lot of versatility that can help our football team and I appreciate him being out there.”
Onwenu playing tackle for the first time since 2021 and helped his team to their best offensive output of the season: 29 points and zero (quarterback) turnovers.
Now do it again.
5 - WR Tyreek Hill, Dolphins and 4 - CB Jonathan Jones, Patriots
After a scare earlier in the week when the league leader in yards (902) and touchdowns (7) didn’t practice due to a hip injury, Tyreek Hill participated on Thursday and Friday before taken off of the final injury report.
He’s good to go.
Opposite him on Sunday will likely be cornerback Jonathan Jones, the stars kryptonite over the last several season.
Hill has been held in check by the cornerback over the last five times they’ve faced off.
Here’s a look at the numbers (h/t Mark Daniels):
2022, Week 17: 2 targets, 0 completions, 1 INT
2022, Week 1: 4 targets, 2 completions, 28 yards
2020: 3 targets, 1 completion, 22 yards
2019: 6 targets, 4 completions, 38 yards
2018: 1 target
Not only are these two to keep an eye on on Sunday individually, but their matchup us one of my three keys to the game, which you can read here.
3 - CB Jalen Ramsey, Dolphins
After being traded to Miami from the Rams this offseason in exchange for a third round pick and tight end Hunter Long, cornerback Jalen Ramsey tore his meniscus during training camp and was placed on injured reserve before the season even started.
After the All-Pro missed the first seven weeks of the season, a source told WEEI.com this week that barring a setback, Ramsey is expected to be activated off IR this weekend and will make his season debut against the Patriots.
Given that Xavien Howard (groin), Cam Smith (foot), Nik Needham (achilles) and Kader Kohou (neck) all popped up on the injury report for the Dolphins this week, the addition of Ramsey will bring a much needed boost to their secondary.
2 - WR Demario Douglas, Patriots
Rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas has been one of a few bright spots on the Patriots’ offenses this season.
After returning from a concussion last week, the speedy rookie caught four passes for 54 yards, had a carry for a 20 yard gain, and was also a factor on special teams with a 25 yard punt return that put the Patriots in scoring range.
After Troy Brown revealed earlier this week that return man Marcus Jones is done for the season, it sounds like that’s now Douglas’ job to lose.
More ‘Pop’ is exactly what they need.
1 - QB Mac Jones, Patriots
All eyes should be on Patriots quarterback Mac Jones this weekend in Miami. After arguably his best performance as a pro last Sunday to the tune of 25 of 30 completions for 272 yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers, there’s only one question facing the signal caller.
Can he do it again?
Jones has shown the ability to have a one-off, impressive performance like he did against Buffalo. This issue has been stringing them together.
Sunday against the Dolphins is as ‘must win’ as must win has been for New England this season, and it’ll be mostly on Jones’ shoulders to make it happen.
No pressure.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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